Ian and the Christmas Chaos
Anyone who knows our families know that Christmas is synonymous with chaos and guarantees to be an adventure every year. This is the first Christmas in years that we didn't open presents under my mom & dad's grand tree... This year, with my parents enjoying their first eggnog in the desert, we celebrated Christmas with Shawn's family.
Shawn and I opened our gifts before waking Ian this morning. Ian isn't going bonkers for the idea of Christmas yet, so it didn't make sense to make a big mess and confuse things even more. Ian did receive more wonderful gifts from my parents, which we appreciate so much (I'm sure he will too as we're dressing him in his new outfits).
At about 10:30, we headed south for the 45 minute drive to grandma Trish & grandpa Tom's house. We fully anticipated Ian to take his nap in the car during this time, but with Polli on my lap in the front seat, obviously playing favorites again, he was too distracted to snooze.
Like the angel he is :-) he played quietly with the simplest of wheeled toys and barely concerned himself with anything else. He really is great at entertaining himself in other people's homes and as long as there are people nearby or at least background noise, he is perfectly content. It's amazing how he can do this everywhere but our own house. Well, he's getting better, but it's still pretty night and day.
Next to arrive was Shawn's oldest brother Mark, his wife Shannon, and their kids Alec and Ashleigh. They have yet to meet Ian, so this was an exciting event. He wasn't sure what to make of more strangers, but quickly warmed up to them. Alec and Ashleigh are teenagers now, but were so excited about Ian. They did great with him and didn't roll their eyes or say OMG one single time. Good kids, those two.
Ian went down easily for a nap (again in a strange place... too good to be true!) without a peep and slept for 2 hours. During this time, we opened presents. Ian got a few more adorable outfits (one was in a Lancome box...I was a bit disappointed that Ian didn't get a Lancome gift set for Christmas...darn it). He also received a couple of great toys from Uncle Mark & Aunt Shannon that were well used. A fire truck with a siren that giggles and races across the floor... and it had wheels. Ian's one and only criteria for a good present.
Finally, our dear family friends, the Standke's, came. Tim and Cassie are about our age, their two adorable daughters Aiden and Marlee, and Cassie's mom Nancy. We loved seeing them and their girls were wonderful with Ian. They brought presents for him, and Aiden patiently showed him how to carefully color with markers on magic paper. She secretly drew a picture for him and gave it to him before they left. It was so thoughtful. She also put on a concert with her recorder instrument and played a duet with Tom and his guitar. Ian loved the music and had a great time playing with the girls. Goes to show how much he probably misses the interaction with kids in the orphanage. He doesn't get that at all right now, so it was nice to see how well he does in a group...even one as noisy and overwhelming as this was.
He fell asleep in the truck on the way home and Shawn was able to bring him in and lay him in his crib without waking him. Polli is equally as tired after a big day of kids and her cousin Spirit. Everyone is falling asleep, ready for a late morning tomorrow.
My phone died before I had the chance to talk to my parents, brother, or niece today, so if any of you are reading this, I'll call as soon as my peppermint fudge hangover wears off. It may be a bit into the day tomorrow. My apologies! The day got away from me.
Merry Christmas to everyone! We hope your day was as joyful and chaotic as ours!
Shawn and I opened our gifts before waking Ian this morning. Ian isn't going bonkers for the idea of Christmas yet, so it didn't make sense to make a big mess and confuse things even more. Ian did receive more wonderful gifts from my parents, which we appreciate so much (I'm sure he will too as we're dressing him in his new outfits).
At about 10:30, we headed south for the 45 minute drive to grandma Trish & grandpa Tom's house. We fully anticipated Ian to take his nap in the car during this time, but with Polli on my lap in the front seat, obviously playing favorites again, he was too distracted to snooze.
Like the angel he is :-) he played quietly with the simplest of wheeled toys and barely concerned himself with anything else. He really is great at entertaining himself in other people's homes and as long as there are people nearby or at least background noise, he is perfectly content. It's amazing how he can do this everywhere but our own house. Well, he's getting better, but it's still pretty night and day.
Next to arrive was Shawn's oldest brother Mark, his wife Shannon, and their kids Alec and Ashleigh. They have yet to meet Ian, so this was an exciting event. He wasn't sure what to make of more strangers, but quickly warmed up to them. Alec and Ashleigh are teenagers now, but were so excited about Ian. They did great with him and didn't roll their eyes or say OMG one single time. Good kids, those two.
Ian went down easily for a nap (again in a strange place... too good to be true!) without a peep and slept for 2 hours. During this time, we opened presents. Ian got a few more adorable outfits (one was in a Lancome box...I was a bit disappointed that Ian didn't get a Lancome gift set for Christmas...darn it). He also received a couple of great toys from Uncle Mark & Aunt Shannon that were well used. A fire truck with a siren that giggles and races across the floor... and it had wheels. Ian's one and only criteria for a good present.
Finally, our dear family friends, the Standke's, came. Tim and Cassie are about our age, their two adorable daughters Aiden and Marlee, and Cassie's mom Nancy. We loved seeing them and their girls were wonderful with Ian. They brought presents for him, and Aiden patiently showed him how to carefully color with markers on magic paper. She secretly drew a picture for him and gave it to him before they left. It was so thoughtful. She also put on a concert with her recorder instrument and played a duet with Tom and his guitar. Ian loved the music and had a great time playing with the girls. Goes to show how much he probably misses the interaction with kids in the orphanage. He doesn't get that at all right now, so it was nice to see how well he does in a group...even one as noisy and overwhelming as this was.
He fell asleep in the truck on the way home and Shawn was able to bring him in and lay him in his crib without waking him. Polli is equally as tired after a big day of kids and her cousin Spirit. Everyone is falling asleep, ready for a late morning tomorrow.
My phone died before I had the chance to talk to my parents, brother, or niece today, so if any of you are reading this, I'll call as soon as my peppermint fudge hangover wears off. It may be a bit into the day tomorrow. My apologies! The day got away from me.
Merry Christmas to everyone! We hope your day was as joyful and chaotic as ours!
Ian in his Christmas jammies
Ian meets cousins Alec & Ashleigh and aunt Shannon
Ian loves his grandma (and her cool Santa earrings!)
Ian & Polli looking out at the snow (yes, we had a few flurries of snow in Seattle on Christmas!)
Grandpa Tom reading a story with Aiden, Marlee & Ian
Ian looking a gift horse in the mouth (ha)
The chaos that is Christmas
Grandpa Tom plays his guitar for Ian
I am so glad to see that you finally have that sweet boy in your arms!! I told you that it would be worth the wait!! Have a wonderful 2008.
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